Stone World Magazine

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2011 April

Features

Over the past few years, countertop fabricators across North America have expanded their business into sectors such as tile, sinks, fireplaces and even cabinetry in order to provide a more complete buying experience for their customers.

Despite all of the information out there on shop safety, we are still hearing about way too many accidents - often fatal accidents. My question is this: How are your businesses addressing the issue of safety in the workplace? How formalized is your safety program? Do you hold regular safety meetings? Have you changed or expanded your approach to workplace safety in the past few years?

Founded by Nicola Bagnara in 1948, Nikolaus Bagnara S.p.A. began operations as a monument producer and quarrier of porphyry in the area of Bolzano, Italy. Today, the company has developed into a major international stone supplier, as it processes slabs, tiles and architectural stonework using the latest equipment and technology.

Sitting at the foot of the Alps is Brescia, an Italian city that has a rich history in stone quarrying. Part of Italy’s Lombardy region, the area is home to 55 active sites -- including one owned and operated by Marmi Ghirardi srl, a family business founded in 1938.

With a vision and determination, Homer Weller set out to start Rolling Rock Building Stone, Inc. in Boyertown, PA, in November of 1955. At the time, the company specialized in quarrying building stone locally from a site in Berks County. Today, Rolling Rock has expanded to include four quarries - three of which it owns - and has also become a well-known producer of thin stone veneer.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2011 was held from Tuesday, January 25 to Thursday, January 27 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. And for the first time, the exhibition was held in conjunction with Surfaces, the largest floor covering show in the U.S. Both of the exhibitions are owned and operated by Hanley-Wood.

Columns

When I was in journalism school, I was taught that the space for the editor’s column is the most valuable page in the entire magazine. And once again, I am using this prime real estate to urge the industry to focus on safety in the workplace - whether that is a shop, a warehouse, the jobsite or even the office.

Products

Flex-North America, Inc., an innovator of the wet polisher for natural stone and concrete, recently announced a redesign of its German-manufactured LW 1503 unit, which features numerous advantages, reports the company.

The new Omni Cubed Multi-Seam Expansion Kit for the Automatic Stealth Seamer™ includes two seam setter units with 8-inch cups, a storage case, four vacuum cup thumb-pump plungers, and extension tubing with adapters.

Blanco, a German manufacturer of innovative and award-winning sinks and faucets, recently announced the launch of SPEX II - a collection that offers classic styling and fine craftsmanship at a price that bridges the gap between desirability and attainability, reports the company.

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) recently introduced a Sustainability Showroom DVD, which showcases to architects, designers, contractors and consumers. In the era of green building, this video displays how natural stone is the natural choice when it comes to sustainable building products.

Braxton-Bragg offers the “4-Corner View” Tavy two-sided Tile Spacer as well as the Tavy Tile Puck, which allows professional tile installers to verify that each intersection is perfectly laid. The Tavy Tile Spacer has a circular design that prevents the spacer from bottoming out into the cement or adhesive, making removal extremely easy.

Industry News

Design professionals from across North America and beyond will gather in New Orleans at the AIA 2011 National Convention and Expo, which carries the theme: “Regional Design REVOLUTION: ecology matters.”

VeronaFiere, organizer of the world-leading stone exhibition Marmomacc in Verona, Italy, announced that it has reached a two-year agreement with Confindustria Marmomacchine, the association for the Italian natural stone and related machinery sector, which represents more than 330 companies in the sector.

Granite City Tool, a family-owned manufacturer and distributor for the stone industry since 1885, has become the Artisan Group’s preferred tooling vendor for 2011. Artisan Group is a nationwide network of premium stone fabricators.

CLEVELAND, OH - Chester A. Smith of Chester A. Smith, Inc. in Columbus, OH, has been awarded the 2010 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Smith’s lifetime of work began in 1912 as a draftsman for Columbus Marble Works.

CASTELLO DI GODEGO, ITALY - Breton Group, a leader in the production of advanced stoneworking machines, has implemented a photovoltaic system from ESPE srl, a leading figure in the renewable energy field.

LAUREL, MT - Wood’s Powr-Grip has announced a new addition to its technical sales staff. Holly Anderson is a Montana native with a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Montana State University - Billings.

In this month's issue of Stone World, check out an article on how government agencies are teaming with stone industry professionals to provide safe work environments. Also check out some features on quartz surfacing.